Some of the advice homeworkers often get includes ‘getting out of the house‘, such how to cope during school holidays. As such, here are my tips for actually achieving work in a cafe.

Visit the Bathroom First. Be ready even before you order. Once you’ve settled you should not leave your gear unsupervised unless you want it to go. I wouldn’t even trust a ‘nice-looking’ person to keep watch. As such packing everything up is a pain, plus you might loose your seat (tip: leave a book/pen/paper on the table and your jacket on your chair).

Check the WiFi. Oftentimes it’s not quite as advertised (e.g. free) or doesn’t actually work very well. Barista’s are not going to give you technical support, and the 3rd party provider is unlikely to help immediately. Consider what kind of work you’ll be doing and consider including some off-line tasks for such a situation. Sure, you might have a mobile data connection, but you probably don’t have unlimited use.

Check for Noise. I use (noise-cancelling) headphones to reduce audible distractions, and never try to do conference calls … I find there is just too much (unexpected) noise, making it hard for everyone (including you) to hear. It also looks unprofessional when others can hear espresso machines and clicking crockery in the background. I retreat back to the car if I need to speak to someone.

Check the Opening/Closing Times. Ensure there will be enough time to complete your tasks. Not every cafe opens early and closing times vary wildly in my experience.

Check access to Power. If you’re planning a full day you’ll need to recharge your machine and possibly phone. Does the place have outlets you can use, and where are they?